MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS 101 
The monument is set in an arched niche, doubly recessed, 
the pilasters of the inner arch bearing two stone lamps and 
its apex the veiled head of a woman. ‘The whole is protected 
by a decorative’ iron railing. On the floor, in front of the 
railing, is a stone slab covering the tomb. Upon this is cut: 
HIER RUST 
ANTHONY VAN LEEWENHOEK, 
OUTSTE LIT VAN DE KOONINCKLIJKE SOSYTEYT IN LONDE, 
GEBOOREN BINNEN DE STADT DELFT OP DEN 24STEN OCTOBER 1632, 
EN OVERLEEDEN OP DEN 26STEN AUGUSTY 1723, 
OUT SYNDE 90 JAAR, 10 MAANDE EN 2 DAGEN.2 
This is followed by some verses “ to the reader ”’ composed 
by Leeuwenhoek’s young friend and fellow-townsman Hubert 
Poot (1689-1733)—the rustic poet who has been called the 
‘Bobbie Burns of Holland” (see Plate XVI)—which run 
thus: 
HEEFT ELK, 0 WANDELAER, ALOM 
ONTZAGH VOOR HOOGEN OUDERDOM 
EN WONDERBARE GAVEN, 
Soo SET EERBIEDIGH HIER UW’ STAP: 
HIER LEGT DE GRYSE WEETENSCHAP 
In LEEWENHOEK BiGRAVEN.® 
——————— 
highest approbation of the whole world. Born at Delft 24 October 1632, and 
died in the same place 26 August 1723.”—The final words “de toto . . . 
meruit”’ ave curiously mistranslated “by which he astonished the whole 
world” by Wildeman (1903, p. 48). 
' Morre (1912), following Wildeman (1903), describes this as “elegant ”’: 
but Harris (1921) regards it as particularly nasty. I eall it “ decorative ”’ 
in a descriptive sense: the reader can form his own estimate of its artistic 
merits from the illustration. 
* “Here lieth Anthony van Leewenhoek, oldest Fellow of the Royal 
Society in London, born within the town of Delft on the 24th of October 
1632, and deceased on the 26th of August 1723, being aged 90 years, 10 
months, and 2 days.”’ Note the spelling of L.’s name and the rest of the 
inscription—-which has been “ corrected’ by every previous transcriber. 
* “ Since everyone, O traveller, 
Great age respecteth, everywhere, 
And gifts of wondrous merit : 
So here all reverently tread, 
Where Science old and gray of head 
In LEEWENHOKK lies buried.” 
